Fastening teak hand/toe rails to deck.

by John
(Central Coast.N.S.W Australia)

What is the best way to fasten teak hand/toe rails to the fore-deck?

I have 6mm 316grade s/s lag screws that I planned to screw and epoxy into the bases of the teak hand/toe rails, then drill 6.5mm countersunk holes through the deck (using the rails with lag screws as a template), drop the lag screws through the deck then get under the fore-deck and, using timber pads, large s/s washers, spring washers and nuts tighten it all up.

The countersunk holes in the deck are to allow better adhesion of the epoxy (or other recommended adhesive.

Or should I just drill through the top of the rails and use epoxy and screws to fasten the rails to the deck?

The decks are approximately 1" (25mm) thick.

Comments for Fastening teak hand/toe rails to deck.

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Grab-rail Fastening
by: Timmynocky

Sounds fine as far as it goes John.

Personally I would want at least some through bolts going right through the rail and if possible through a deck beam.

Someone heavy grabbing that rail in an emergency can exert a lot of pressure in the initial jerk.

A rail is most likely to have the grain running along it, so any sideways pressure on the wooden pillars will be across their weakest area, a through bolt will also act as reinforcement.

And, as I said if you can get one or two through bolts to go right through a deck beam as well, so you aren’t relying on the deck fastenings, then that will be as secure as you can get.

I wouldn't bother messing with epoxy, I'd just bed them down with a sealant.

So, even if it is just the end fasteners, reinforce the wood with some through bolts.

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